Track-bridle.



M. PATTERSON.

TRACK BRIDLE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.2.1914.

Patented June 2, 1914.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MATHEW PATTERSON, 0'1? BUFFALQ, NEW YORK.

TEACILBRIDLE.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, MATHEW PATTERSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Track-Bridles, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to track bridles such as are employed to temporarily connect and hold in proper position and at the re quired distance apart, the rails of a railway track laid down upon the ties in front of a construction train, in order that the train may pass on and lay other rails, and allow the spikers to come along and spike the rails to the ties in the ordinary way. The bridles are then taken oil? and carried forward for use again in the same manner.

This invention has for its object the production of a track bridle comprising the special construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, of which- Figure 1 shows the ends of two railway rails laid upon the ties and temporarily secured together by this invention. Fig. 2 is a similar end view of a railway track showing this invention with the movable clamping plate slipped outwardly to enable the trackmen to remove this invention from the rails without disturbing the rails. Fig. 3 represents a top plan view of this invention.

In the drawings, and throughout the description, the same letter is used to refer to the same part.

Considering the drawings, it will be noted that the rails A and B are laid upon the tie C, but are not yet spiked thereto. The flanges of the rails are connected by this invention, which comprises the body or rod D having a flattened end portion E provided with an upwardly and inwardly turned extremity F that engages the outer flange of the rail B as illustrated. Near the inner flange of the rail B the flattened end portion E has an opening G through it for the insertion of the spike H, or any like wedge or plug conveniently obtainable. Spikes are immediately available and customarily employed. Driving the spike into the opening 61' has the effect of clamping the flange of rail B. The other end of the rod or body portion D of this invention is marked J, and it is also flattened out relatively as shown in Fig. 3. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the flattened end J is wedge-shaped. At the Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed January 2, 1914.

Patented June F5, 1914.

Serial No. 809,899.

same end of the rod D is the movable clamping plate or member K, which has a perpendicular flange L and an upwardly and inwardly turned extremity M that engages the outer flange of the rail A. It is customary in practice to pass the rod D through the opening N in the perpendicular flange L of the movable plate K, during the construction of this invention, and to flatten out the end J afterward. In that way the plate K and rod D are movably coupled as desired, and the plate cannot he slipped oil and lost. This invention is not confined to that particular construction, but it is an advantageous form.

The operation of this invention consists in applying it first to the rail B as stated. The inwardly turned extremity F of the flattened end portion E engages the outer flange of the rail, and the spike H engages the inner flange. New, considering Fig. 2, suppose the flat, wedge end J is raised against the under side of the flange of rail A, and the movable plate K is driven inwardly until its inwardly turned extremity M engages the outer flange of the rail A. The flange of the rail is thus clamped by wedge action, and the spike hole 0 of the flattened end J registers with the spike hole P of the movable plate K, or nearly so, and a spike Q; can be driven through both the flattened end J and the plate K securing the rail A in place and holding the rails together sufliciently to permit the passage of the construction train over them. It is believed to be clear that to remove this invention from the rails, the spike Q; is pulled out and the plate K is driven outwardly into the position illustrated in Fig. 2. Now, if the spike H is pulled out, the flanges of both rails are unclamped, and this invention may be removed by hand and carried forward for use again in the same manner.

Having now described this invention and 2. A track bridle comprising a body portion having a clamping device at one end, the said body having a Wedgeshaped portion at its other end, aplate having a projection for engaging the flange of a rail, the plate having a sliding engagement With the said body near its Wedge-shaped end and being arranged below the said end, and the said plate and Wedge-shaped end having registering spike holes.

3. The combination with a body having a rail clamp at one end, of a movable railclamping plate having an upright flange provided W1th an opening, the other end of the body passing through the said opening 15 and having a flattened end Wider than the opening, the said plate and the said flattened end having registering spike holes.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of tWo Witnesses.

MATHEW PATTERSON. Witnesses LAWRENCE J. SCHROAT, MARTIN SCHMIDT.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

